Variety of strawberry plant named ‘MALWINA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Fragaria×ananassa  (Duch.) Guedes strawberry plant is provided which exhibits very strong vigor, fruits are as long as they are broad, large-sized fruits, and a very late time of ripening.

Botanical classification: Fragaria×ananassa (Duch.) Guedes.

Varietal denomination: ‘MALWINA’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar ofstrawberry plant botanically classified as Fragaria×ananassa (Duch.)Guedes and known by the varietal name ‘MALWINA’. The new variety is alsoknown by designation PS.01-S4. The new variety is the result of a crossbetween an unnamed strawberry seedling (female parent, unpatented in theUnited States) and ‘Sophie’ (male parent, unpatented in the UnitedStates). The cross resulting in ‘MALWINA’ occurred in 1999 inKressbronn, Germany. The purpose of the breeding program was to developnew late harvest strawberry varieties. Subsequently, the new variety wasasexually reproduced by cuttings in Kressbronn, Germany in September of1999.

The new variety differs from its female parent in that its female parenthas a brighter and softer fruit color. The new variety is similar to‘Sophie’ because of its very strong vigor and compact habit. However,when compared to Sophie, ‘MALWINA’ is more globose, has strongerpetioles, larger and darker green leaves, larger flowers, and larger androunder fruit. Further, the new variety exhibits only a very slightdifference in the shape of its primary and secondary fruits whencompared to ‘Sophie’.

The following table provides a detailed comparison between ‘MALWINA’ andthe strawberry variety known as ‘Florence’ (unpatented in the UnitedStates):

TABLE 1 Inflorescence Time of Ripening Position Relative Fruit (50% ofPlants Varietal Name to Foliage Color with Ripe Fruits) ‘MALWINA’Beneath Red Very late ‘Florence’ Level with Dark red Medium to late

The following characteristics also distinguish the new variety fromother strawberry varieties known to the breeder:

-   -   Globose plant habit;    -   Very strong vigor;    -   Fruits are as long as they are broad;    -   Large-sized fruits; and    -   Very late time of ripening.

The new variety has been trial and field tested and has been found toretain its distinctive characteristics and remain true to type throughsuccessive asexual propagations.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying photographic drawings illustrate the new cultivar, withthe color being as nearly true as is possible with color illustrationsof this type. It should be noted that colors may vary with growingconditions and time of year:

FIG. 1 is a photograph of multiple fruits of the new variety;

FIG. 2 is a photograph of a field of the new variety;

FIG. 3 is a photograph of a sliced fruit of the new variety;

FIG. 4 is a photograph of the blossoms of the new variety; and

FIG. 5 is a photograph of a leaf of the new variety.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following detailed description sets forth the characteristics of thenew cultivar. The new variety was grown under natural field conditionsin Kressbronn, Germany. Plants were grown in a dry and hot climate withan average day temperature of 30° C. and an average night temperature of13° C. The new variety was almost one year old from planting whendescribed. Color references are primarily to The R.H.S. Colour Chart ofThe Royal Horticultural Society of London and were identified undernatural light.

BOTANICAL DATA

-   Time to initiate roots: 48 hours at an average temperature of 20° C.-   Time to produce a rooted plant: 30 days at an average temperature of    20° C.-   Rooting habit: Vigorous.-   Plant form: Globose.-   Height (from soil to top of plant): 30-40 cm.-   Plant diameter: 35-45 cm.-   Vigor: Very strong.-   Disease/pest resistance: Susceptible to flower thrips and gets a bit    of leaf spot. Moderately resistant to grey fruit mold and powdery    mildew. Resistant to verticilium and strong against root diseases.-   Weather tolerance: Very robust to rain cracking and sunburn on    fruits. Plants are winter hardy in normal middle European    conditions.-   Foliage:    -   -   Arrangement.—Basal rosette; upwardly facing.        -   Number of leaves per stem.—Generally three; very rarely            four.        -   Petiole.—Length: 28-33 cm. Diameter: 3-4 mm. Color: RHS            145A. Texture: Pubescence present, shooting outwards.        -   Color.—Young leaflets: Upper surface: Close to RHS 137A.            Lower surface: RHS 139C. Mature leaflets: Upper surface:            Close to RHS 136B. Lower surface: Close to RHS 138B.        -   Lateral leaflets.—Length: 9-10 cm. Width: 7-8 cm. Shape of            leaf: Strongly concave. Shape of apex: Obtuse. Shape of            base: Between acute and slightly obtuse. Texture: Very weak            to absent pubescence present on both the upper and lower            surfaces. Aspect: Upright. Margin type: Crenate. Anthocyanin            coloration: Strong; RHS 136B.        -   Terminal leaflets.—Length: 9-12 cm. Width: 7-9 cm. Ratio            length/width: Longer than broad. Shape of leaf: Strongly            concave. Shape of apex: Obtuse. Shape of base: Acute.            Texture: Very weak to absent pubescence present on both the            upper and lower surfaces. Aspect: Upright. Margin type:            Crenate.        -   Whole leaf length.—32-40 cm.        -   Whole leaf width.—14-17 cm.        -   Whole leaf glossiness.—Strong to very strong.        -   Petiole.—Length: 24.5 cm. Diameter: 3.8 to 4.5 mm. Color:            RHS 145A.        -   Stipule.—Average number per leaf: 3. Length: 32.4 cm. Width:            18.1 cm. Color: RHS 137A.        -   Veins.—Venation pattern: Pinnate. Color: Upper surface: RHS            137A. Lower surface: Central portion RHS 145C, decreasing            outwardly.-   Fruit:    -   -   Harvest season.—Very late, during the middle of July in the            south of Germany.        -   Number of fruits per fruiting lateral.—4-6.        -   Color.—Immature: RHS 149D. Maturing: RHS 41B. Fully mature:            RHS 53A to RHS 45A (very strongly darkens at plant; edible            close to RHS 187B). Evenness of color: Even.        -   Taste.—Very good.        -   Length.—3.5-4 cm.        -   Width.—3.5-4 cm.        -   Length/width ratio.—As long as is broad.        -   Overall shape.—Conical.        -   Unevenness of surface.—Absent or very weak.        -   Glossiness.—Strong.        -   Weight.—About 20 g.        -   Achene position.—Level with surface.        -   Achene color.—From RHS 151D to RHS 163B.        -   Average number of achenes per berry.—547.        -   Flesh firmness.—Medium to firm.        -   Fruiting truss length.—15-28 cm.        -   Fruiting truss width.—2-4 mm.        -   Fruiting truss color.—RHS 145A.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Number per flower: 28-34. Size: Length: 2.5 mm.            Width: 2.0 mm.        -   Anthers.—Shape: Apex: Rounded. Base: Cordate            (horseshoe-shaped). Size: Length: 0.9-1.1 mm. Width:            0.8-0.9 mm. Color: Edge: Close to RHS 163B. Center: Close to            RHS 14A.        -   Stigma.—Texture: Lightly papillose surface. Shape: Rounded            to ovate. Color: RHS 6A.        -   Style.—Length: About 0.8 mm. Color: RHS 4A.        -   Ovary.—Texture: Pubescence present. Length: About 4.3 mm.            Color: With seed: RHS 150B. Without seed: RHS 18C.        -   Stolon.—Length: Mother plant to first stolon-plant:            35-45 cm. Mother plant to second stolon-plant: 55-60 cm.            Diameter: 2-4 mm. Color: RHS 145A to 145B.-   Flowers:    -   -   Position relative to the foliage.—Beneath.        -   Natural flowering season.—Very late; at the end of June in            southern Germany.        -   Number of flowers per plant.—40-50.        -   Fully opened color.—Upper surface: RHS 155C and RHS 8C about            0.7 mm from the base. Lower surface: RHS 155C.        -   Fragrance.—None present.        -   Longevity.—2-3 days.        -   Flower description.—Rotate flowers arranged singly at            lateral apices; 5-6 petals; flat outspreading; slightly            overlapping; terminal.        -   Flower height.—5-6 mm.        -   Flower diameter.—Medium to large; about 1.9-2.3 cm.        -   Petal.—Count: Single whorl of 5-6 petals. Shape: Compressed;            slightly elliptic to obovate. Length: 9-10 mm. Width:            10-11 mm. Apex: Rounded. Base: Symmetric; broad;            wedge-shaped; convex; broader than long. Margin: Entire.            Texture: Upper and lower surfaces: Smooth; glabrous; glossy.        -   Sepals.—Length: Internal: 10 mm. External: 7.5 mm. Width:            Internal: 4.9 mm. External: 3.3 mm. Shape: Lanceolate.            Arrangement: A single whorl of two star-shaped circles —            calyx of sepals, each with about 5-6 sepals. Internal sepals            are broader and longer than external sepals, all slightly            overlapping; calyx situated in a basin. Number: A total of            10-13. Apex: Acute. Color: Mature sepals: Upper surface:            Internal: RHS 145A. External: RHS 145A. Lower surface:            Internal: RHS 145A. External: RHS 137A (lightens toward the            base). Young sepals: Upper surface: RHS 145A. Lower surface:            Close to RHS 145A. Margin: Entire. Texture: Upper and lower            surfaces: Pubescence present.        -   Buds.—Length: About 8 mm. Diameter: About 9 mm. Shape:            Broader than longer; rounded. Apex: Acute. Color: RHS 145A.

1. A new and distinct variety of Fragaria×ananassa (Duch.) Guedesstrawberry plant substantially as is herein described and illustrated.